A terna refers to a list of three episcopal candidates presented to the Pope, who chooses one, or not. They are ranked as dignus, worthy, dignior, more worthy, dignissimus, most worthy.

I have to wonder if that’s the ranking we need in the Church. There are other scales that regard humility before Jesus. Being really humble could be considered for worthiness, but the worthiness scale doesn’t lend itself to the consideration of humility as it’s primary concern.

2 responses to “Note for Jackass for the Hour: the phrase “dignissimus for the next terna””

Public “worthiness” for anything in the Church categorizes as non-dignus a lot of people who may be worthy of heaven. It is said of some that they are worthy for ordination or etc but all surely know themselves better when they are saying “Domine, non sum dignus…” a phrase which really should be recited thrice.